Indoor Air Quality and Respiratory Illness

Studies have examined the link between air quality in INDOOR AQUATIC FACILITIES and respiratory effects, including asthma. If there is poor ventilation in the building or AQUATIC VENUE area, it could be the cause of negative health effects for BATHERS and PATRONS from inhalation exposure to the chloramines⁵⁵,⁵⁶,⁵⁷. To date, however, research results on the link to asthma are mixed and inconclusive⁵⁸,⁵⁹,⁶⁰,⁶¹. The one prospective study available⁶² suggests swimming does not increase the risk of asthma. To the contrary, the study found swimming increased lung function and reduced the risk of asthma symptoms at age seven. The health benefits associated with swimming include improvement of asthma symptoms and cardiovascular fitness. Pediatricians have long recommended swimming for asthmatic children because of its lower asthmogenicity compared to other forms of exercise. The Belgian Superior Health Council⁶³ reviewed the available science related to AQUATIC VENUE swimming and the development of childhood asthma. The Council, in its 2011 report No. 8748 (and reiterated in its 2012 report) concludes swimming remains highly advisable, even in the case of asthma. According to the Council, “For this target group, the advantages of swimming under good hygienic conditions in monitored AQUATIC VENUES outweigh the risk of toxicity linked to CHLORINE and its by-products.”⁶⁴,⁶⁵,⁶⁶,⁶⁷,⁶⁸